Twenty20 looms as the path back to Test cricket for Australian fast bowler Brett Lee, who has ruled himself out of next year’s tour of South Africa.

Lee has been ordered to rest for up to three months to allow a stress reaction in his left foot to heal, and he will use the period out of the game to undergo clean-up surgery to his left ankle.

Lee’s manager Neil Maxwell confirmed the pace spearhead had drawn a line through visiting South Africa in February, having had his series ended in the second-Test loss to the Proteas at the MCG.

Maxwell said on Wednesday Lee – who is set to undergo surgery on Saturday – expected to be sidelined for between six and 10 weeks.

“He doesn’t have any intention of going to South Africa,” he said.

“He’ll be getting everything right, just clearing up that floating bone in the ankle and letting the hot spot in his foot heal.”

Despite injury having endured a wretched series – Lee took 1-249 in two Tests against Graeme Smith’s side – the 32-year-old is determined to force his way back into the Australian side for the Ashes tour, which starts in June.

That means next year’s Indian Premier League tournament and the shortened form’s world championships in England in June, before the Ashes, could provide the only way for Lee to resume bowling before Australia begin their defence of the little urn.

Lee played for the Kings XI Punjab in the inaugural IPL season in 2008, and could do so again in 2009 to increase his workload before the Ashes series.

“He just wants to get as much cricket under his belt before the Ashes,” Maxwell said.

“Whether that’s in the IPL will depend on Cricket Australia (CA) and their plans.”

Most Australian players will be prevented from playing in next year’s IPL if a scheduled tour of Pakistan, for limited-overs matches, takes place because national commitments take precedence.

If the Pakistan tour does not go ahead, given the security concerns in the Islamic country, CA would consider allowing some players to take part in the IPL depending on their workloads.

© AAP 2012

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